Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unequal: Not equal in quantity, size, value, status, or opportunity. It describes a state of imbalance or unfairness between different parties or groups.
   • Inequitable: Characterized by injustice or unfairness, often in social, economic, or legal contexts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sự chênh lệch giàu nghèo là một vấn đề bất bình đẳng xã hội nghiêm trọng. (The wealth gap is a serious social inequality problem.)
  • Hiệp ước bất bình đẳng đó đã bị lên án. (That unequal treaty was condemned.)
  • Mọi hình thức đối xử bất bình đẳng đều cần được xóa bỏ. (All forms of unequal treatment must be eliminated.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal, academic, and sociological contexts to discuss systemic disparities.
  • Bất bình đẳng giới: Gender inequality.
  • Bất bình đẳng thu nhập: Income inequality.
• Can function as an abstract noun in phrases where "sự" or "tính" is added.
  • Sự bất bình đẳng: The inequality.
  • Tính bất bình đẳng: The characteristic of being unequal.

Variants and Related Words

• Bình đẳng (adj): Equal, equitable. This is the direct antonym.
  • Mọi người đều mong muốn một xã hội bình đẳng. (Everyone desires an equal society.)
• Bất công (adj): Unjust, unfair. While similar, "bất công" often implies a moral judgment of injustice, whereas "bất bình đẳng" can be a more neutral descriptor of imbalance.

Synonyms

• Unequal: Not the same in level, quantity, or status.
• Inequitable: Unfair, unjust.
• Disparate: Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.

Related Concepts

• Công bằng (n): Justice, fairness. The ideal state opposed to "bất bình đẳng."
• Chênh lệch (n/v): Gap, disparity; to differ. Often describes the measurable outcome of "bất bình đẳng."

adj

1. Unequal
   • hiệp ước bất bình đẳng
     an unequal treaty